ESPN College Football

Just when Barry Alvarez's Cinderella swan song starts to hit its stride, the Badgers face a road trip to Northwestern without two key offensive players. Fullback Matt Bernstein, whose blocking is crucial to the success of tailback Brian Calhoun, is out with a bad hip, and tight end Owen Daniels might not play because of an ankle injury. … Quarterback John Stocco threw for more than 100 yards to both Brandon Williams and Jonathan Orr in a win over Indiana. That's the first time in 12 years Wisconsin has produced two 100-yard receivers in one game, so perhaps the Badgers aren't as one-dimensional as everyone thinks. Says offensive coordinator Brian White, "We have answers outside of handing the ball to Brian Calhoun 40 times." … Alvarez is starting to believe in sophomore kicker Taylor Mehlhaff. He's 6-of-7 on field goals this season, with his only miss coming from 52 yards. … Strong safety Joe Stellmacher (stinger), who did not play last week against Indiana, could return to the lineup at Northwestern. … Wisconsin is 5-0 for the fifth time in Alvarez's 16 seasons.

Illinois
Coach Ron Zook isn't panicking as his team heads for Indiana with its one sure thing -- kicker Jason Reda -- coming off three crucial first-half misses at Iowa. Reda, who entered the game 8-of-9, had attempts of 44 and 31 yards blocked and missed a 21-yard attempt to leave his team in a 14-0 halftime hole en route to a 35-7 loss. "We have to get him back in his groove because he is a good kicker," Zook said. … Left tackle J.J. Simmons is questionable for Indiana with a sore knee. Free safety Morris Virgil missed the Iowa game after straining his shoulder the previous weekend against Michigan State. He's expected back for IU. … Tailback Pierre Thomas remains a bright spot on offense. He registered season highs of 15 carries and 100 rushing yards at Iowa.

Indiana
If the Hoosiers hope to flirt with a .500 season after starting 3-0, a win over visiting Illinois is a must. It's hard to find another victory on the IU schedule after this week, given that road trips to Iowa, Michigan State and Michigan are interspersed with home games against Ohio State, Minnesota and Purdue. … Quarterback Blake Powers passed for three touchdowns in a 41-24 loss at Wisconsin, giving him 14 for the season with seven games left. The school record is 17 set by Antwaan Randle El in 1999. … Powers' favorite target continues to be 6-foot-7 redshirt freshman James Hardy. He's caught at least one touchdown pass in each of IU's first four games. The last Indiana receiver to do that was Ernie Jones in 1987.

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